Friday, September 21, 2012

Harrell Moran, aka Uncle Brud, brought this postcard back with him from Panama. It was just one of the destinations when he took the cruise on the S.S. Kronprinzessin Cecile. The postcard was published by Albert Lindo in Panama is #614 and is the entrance to the Catholic Cemetery in Panama.

Friday, December 30, 2011

The letter is dated November 23, 1912 and is from William K. Kavanaugh, the President of The Lakes to the Gulf Deep Waterway Association. The letter is to Mr. George Boyd of Dresden but was found among the papers of Charles Harrell Moran. George Boyd was the cashier at the Dresden Bank which was owned by the Moran family. I don't know if George Boyd went on the cruise or if he was simply getting information for Charles Moran but I do know that Charles was definitely on the cruise to see the "Panama Canal before water has been finally turned into it." It's also interesting to note that "it will perhaps please you to know that ladies will be allowed on the vessel, therefore, you can take your wife and daughters if you so desire..." The cruise was supposed to be a combination of educational and social activities for the participants. It's also interesting to see the name James F. Buckner Jr among the Board of Governors. The Morans and Buckners are related via the Gunn/Morehead families.

St. Louis, November 23, 1912.
Mr. Geo. Boyd, Dresden, Tenn.
Dear Sir:After a careful canvas of the situation with the officers and members of the Board of Governors of the Lakes to the Gulf Deep Waterway Association, we have accepted a proposition from the Hamburg-American Steamship line to have one of their large and elegant Steamers, the "Kronprinzessin Cecilie" make a Panama Trip from New Orleans, leaving that city February 10th, the entire tour to consume about 20 days, stopping at Santiago, Kingston, Havana and Panama Canal.
While this will be known as the "Lakes-to-the-Gulf Deep Waterway Association Trip" and conducted under our auspices, there will be no liability as an Association, as each person who makes a reservation, will of course, take care of his own expense. We have already a great many applications for reservations and it will be seen at once that it offers special inducements to friends of this Association to be together upon this splendid vessel which will enable the party to view the great Panama Canal before water has been finally turned into it. The object of the Association, while of course, in some degree educational, is after all for publicity purposes.

In the event the Association does not fill the ship, the remaining rooms will naturally be filled by tourists traveling independently.We have given your name and address to the representatives of the Hamburg-American Steamship Line with request that they send you the enclosed detailed information concerning this beautiful trip which offers so many opportunities, both social and educational, and we trust very much that you may see your way clear to join the party and it will perhaps please you to know that ladies will be allowed on the vessel, therefore, you can take your wife and daughters if you so desire, by making the reservations in advance. The cost of the trip from New Orleans to Panama and back to New Orleans, including side stops, will of course, vary according to the character of reservations that you make.
Steamer reservations must be made immediately, either through this office or direct to the Hamburg-American Line, 902 Olive Street, St. Louis, as entire steamers are invariably closed to further reservations more than 60 days before they sail.
Write today asking for a pamphlet.
Trusting you approve of the general idea of friends of the Lakes to the Gulf Deep Waterway Association getting together, and that you may consider favorably the question of joining the party, I beg to remain,
Very Sincerely,
W. K. Kavanaugh,
President
Summary of Important Data
Cost of cruise from St. Louis to Panaman and return, including all expenses, $200 to $350, according to stateroom. This amount is divided approximately - $75 for railroad fare and side-trip expenses and the balance for stateroom, ocean trip, accommodations and meals on board. 25% of stateroom fare deposited at St. Louis office secures positive reservation. Deposit returnable in case of illness. All passage first-class. Difference in rates fixed by preference of rooms. The Kronprinzessin Cecilie is nearly twice as large as any other steamer sailing from New Orleans, and is the only Trans-Atlantic, passenger liner making the Panama Cruise out of New Orleans. On no other cruise do you visit the picturesque and historic West Indies as well as Panaman.

Monday, July 4, 2011

3844. Jamaica--Troops of the 21st West Indian Regiment.
These soldiers have the gayest uniform imaginable,
combining all the colors of the rain bow
and is the only uniform of its kind in the British army.